Drum mount

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Class / Patent application number

Description

Number of patent applications / Date published

399117000

Drum mount

75

20140270848

Image Forming Apparatus Having Drum Supporting Member and Belt - In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member integrally supports a plurality of photosensitive drums. A moving member detachably supports the drum support member. The moving member moves between a mounted position, in which the moving member is mounted in a main body of the image forming apparatus, and a pulled-out position, in which the moving member is pulled out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A belt is disposed above the moving member and is capable of contacting with the plurality of photosensitive drums when the moving member is disposed in the mounted position. The drum supporting member is detached upward from the moving member when the moving member is in the pulled-out position. The drum supporting member rotatably supports each of the photosensitive drums.

09-18-2014

20140086632

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - A coupling member dismounting method including an inclining step of inclining a coupling member relative to a rotational axis of a drum flange, wherein the coupling member includes a spherical portion mounted to a rear end portion of a rotating force receiving member by a pin penetration. The method also includes a pin urging step of pushing the pin from one end to the other end thereof. The method further includes a pin riding step of making a part of the pin which is further projected at the end by the pin urging step ride on a surface and a coupling member dismounting step of dismounting the coupling member from the drum flange by applying a force to a free end portion of the coupling member toward a fulcrum which is the portion of the pin riding on the surface.

03-27-2014

20100008697

Organic photoconductor drum - An organic photoconductor (OPC) drum includes a support member formed as a unitary molded body, a pair of mounting members, a pair of rollers, and an OPC belt. The support member includes a plurality of support plates, a plurality of groove-defining U-shaped segments, and first and second sidewalls. Each of the support plates extends in a first direction. Adjacent ones of the support plates are spaced apart from each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Each of the U-shaped segments interconnects a corresponding adjacent pair of the support plates. Each of the mounting members is coupled to a respective one of the first and second sidewalls. The rollers flank the support member in the second direction. The OPC belt is trained on an assembly of the support member and the rollers, and is driven by the rollers to move on the support plates.

01-14-2010

20110229199

PHOTOCONDUCTOR DRUM SUPPORT STRUCTURE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR PHOTOCONDUCTOR DRUM SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A photoconductor drum support structure includes a photoconductor drum that is supported to rotate about a rotation axis; a drum shaft that passes through the photoconductor drum, and is disposed along a rotation axis; a notch formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction of the drum shaft; a drum frame that retains the photoconductor drum to rotate, the drum frame including an opening that is formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction on the drum frame, and enables insertion of the first end of the drum shaft, an engaging portion that is engaged with the notch formed on the drum shaft inserted into the opening, and that regulates displacement of the drum shaft towards the second end.

09-22-2011

20090317132

PROCESS CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND ELECTROGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion by moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the driving shaft. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a coupler engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the drum and taking transmitting, pre-engagement, and disengaging positions, and a regulator regulating an inclination angle of the coupler. During cartridge mounting, the coupler moves from the pre-engagement to the transmitting position to oppose the driving shaft, and during cartridge dismounting, the coupler moves from the transmitting to the disengaging position to disengage from the driving shaft.

12-24-2009

20110222906

CLEANING DEVICE, CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device for removing a developer remaining on an image bearing member from the image bearing member includes a cleaning device, including an elastic blade elastically contacted to the image bearing member and a supporting member for supporting the elastic blade, for removing the developer remaining on the image bearing member from the image bearing member; an image bearing member bearing member including a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the image bearing member; and a removed developer accommodating container formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of a material for the supporting member, the removed developer accommodating container including an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning device. The image bearing member bearing member is fixed to the supporting member. The removed developer accommodating container is fixed to the supporting member. The image bearing member bearing member and the removed developer accommodating container are provided with a gap therebetween with respect to a longitudinal direction of the supporting member.

09-15-2011

20110013935

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND SUPPORTING MECHANISM - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process units, a plurality of latent image carriers, an optical writing unit, an upper cover, and a pitch positioning member. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of abutting portions so as to regulate movements of the plurality of process units in the horizontal direction by abutting each of the plurality of process units. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of notches extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of each of the respective plurality of abutting portions with a predetermined pitch.

01-20-2011

20160033931

END MEMBER, ROTARY BODY UNIT AND PHOTORECEPTOR DRUM UNIT - An end member is mounted on an end of a cylindrical rotary body. The end member includes a cylindrical-shaped body and a shaft connecting portion protruding from one end side of the body. The shaft connecting portion includes a penetration hole extending toward an axial line of the body, and no shaft connecting portion exists at a portion of the body disposed opposed to the penetration hole across the axial line of the body.

02-04-2016

20140086634

ROTATIONAL FORCE TRANSMITTING PART - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder.

03-27-2014

20120288303

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum; a developing cartridge including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer; a supporting member movable between an inside position and a retracted position in the state that supporting member supports the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge, wherein the inside position is inside the main assembly of the apparatus, and the retracted position is retracted from the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the supporting member supports the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge independently demountably therefrom, wherein mounting and demounting directions of the drum cartridge relative to the supporting member and mounting and demounting directions of the developing cartridge are different from each other.

11-15-2012

20160091857

Image-Forming Apparatus Provided with Interlocking Mechanism for Inputting Drive Force to Drive Roller of Belt Unit - An image-forming apparatus includes a main body, a drive source, an image forming section, a coupling and an interlocking mechanism. The image forming section includes a trigger part and a belt unit including: a belt; and a drive roller and a follow roller opposing each other in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the drive roller. The belt is stretched over the drive roller and the follow roller to extend in the first direction. The coupling includes a movable part movable between a transmitting position transmitting a drive force from the drive source to the drive roller and an interrupting position interrupting transmission of the drive force from the drive source to the drive roller. The interlocking mechanism is configured to interlock movement of the movable part between the transmitting position and the interrupting position with movement of the trigger part.

03-31-2016

20130322923

BEARING MEMBER, END MEMBER, PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BEARING MEMBER - A bearing member placed at an end of a photosensitive drum, and a shaft member is attached thereto. The bearing member has a cylindrical body and a retaining portion placed in the cylindrical body, retaining a torque transmission pin provided in the shaft member, and removably provided. The retaining portion is provided with swaying grooves at least two grooves extending in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, placed opposite each other, and whose bottoms have each a curved surface exhibiting a bow with respect to the axial direction; inlet grooves at one end thereof connected to the respective swaying grooves and at the other end thereof connected to outside of the retaining portion and placed at an upstream position with respect to the swaying grooves along a direction of rotation of the cylindrical body; and a pedestal interposed, at one end, between the two swaying grooves.

12-05-2013

20110058848

IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - An image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming member assembly including a photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a rotating unit; a driving unit; a positioning member having a positioning hole in which a shaft of the photosensitive member is rotatably supported and positioned; and a support member having a support hole that has a guide side to guide a rotating shaft of the rotating unit and supports the rotating shaft in a direction toward and away from the positioning hole. When a force received by the rotating shaft while the driving unit drives the rotating unit is divided into a first component force along the guide side and a second component force orthogonal to the guide side, the first component force has a direction in which a contact force of the shaft of the photosensitive member against an edge of the positioning hole is increased.

03-10-2011

20110091241

DEVELOPING APPARATUS HAVING A SPACER AND A LEAKAGE PREVENTER - A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.

04-21-2011

20100296838

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A PHOTOCONDUCTIVE DRUM OF A PRODUCTION PRINTING SYSTEM - A drum support structure of a production printing system is disclosed. The drum support structure secures a photoconductive drum within a printing system during operation. The drum support structure includes a plurality of ring members spaced in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The ring members have an outside diameter that corresponds with an inside diameter of the drum so that the ring members fit within the drum. The drum support structure also includes a plurality of connecting members that affix the ring members to one another. The drum support structure also includes an inner end cap that connects to an inner-most ring member through one or more connecting members and is adapted to contact one end of the drum. The drum support structure also includes an outer end cap that is adapted to fasten to an outer-most ring member and is further adapted to contact another end of the drum.

11-25-2010

20110262183

IMAGE DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An imaging device includes a photoconductor, a charging device that charges a photosensitive surface of the photoconductor by a charging member, an optical writing device that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged photosensitive surface with light emitted from a light emitting portion, a developing device that develops the image by a developing member, and a support member that rotatably supports the photoconductor and supports the optical writing device at a distance from the photosensitive surface. The charging member and the developing member are provided closer to the optical writing device than a line extending orthogonally to an emitting direction of the light and passing through a center point of a shaft of the photoconductor. An application direction of a pressure to be applied to each of the charging member and the developing member intersects the emitting direction of the light at an acute angle.

10-27-2011

20140348540

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge supporting member for supporting a plurality of drum cartridges each including a photosensitive drum, wherein the drum cartridge supporting member is movable, with respect to an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, between a first position inside a main assembly of the image forming apparatus and a second position, outside the main assembly, in which the drum cartridges are mountable and dismountable; a guide portion for guiding a plurality of developing cartridges each including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, wherein the guide portion individually guides the developing cartridges mountably to and demountably from the main assembly in an axial direction of the developing roller; and a moving mechanism for moving the developing cartridge mounted in the main assembly between a developing position in which the electrostatic latent image is to be developed and a retracted position in which the developing cartridge is retracted from the developing position, wherein when the developing cartridge is in the retracted position, the drum cartridge supporting member is permitted to move between the first position and the second position.

11-27-2014

20140314447

SUPPORTING MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a supporting mechanism including a bearing support portion that supports a bearing and is open so that the bearing is removed in a first direction that crosses a rotating shaft that is supported by the bearing, a driving shaft coupling that transmits a driving force to the rotating shaft by being connected to a rotating shaft coupling that is provided at one end of the rotating shaft, and a contact member that includes a bearing contact portion that makes contact with the bearing.

10-23-2014

20110064462

BEARING DEVICE, DRUM UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge.

03-17-2011

20130230337

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

09-05-2013

20090317131

PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - A process cartridge usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis and having a photosensitive layer at its peripheral surface; ii) process means actable on the drum; iii) a coupling member for receiving an external force for rotating the drum, wherein the coupling member is capable of taking a first angular position for transmitting the external force to the drum, a second angular position inclined away from the axis of the drum from the first angular position, and a third angular position away from the axis of the drum from the first angle position; and iv) a regulating portion for regulating an inclination angle of the coupling member such that downward inclination angle of the coupling member is smaller than an inclination angle of the coupling member when the coupling member is at the second angular position.

12-24-2009

20140086633

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGPHAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.

03-27-2014

20150346680

Drum Unit Removably Mountable to Supporting Unit of Image Forming Apparatus - A drum unit is removably mountable to a supporting unit of an image forming apparatus. The drum unit includes a pair of side plates; and a plurality of photosensitive drums. The pair of side plates face each other and are apart from each other in a first direction. The plurality of photosensitive drums are supported by the pair of side plates such that an axial direction of each photosensitive drum is parallel to the first direction and such that each photosensitive drum is movable relative to the pair of side plates. Each side plate has a plurality of urging members and a plurality of stoppers such that one of the urging members corresponds to one of the photosensitive drums and to one of the stoppers. Each urging member is configured to urge a corresponding photosensitive drum toward a corresponding stopper.

12-03-2015

20150346671

BEARING MEMBER, END SECTION MEMBER, PHOTORECEPTOR DRUM UNIT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BEARING MEMBER - A bearing member includes a concave section receiving a spherical body therein, and swing grooves into which end sections of a rotating force transmission pin are inserted. The swing groove at least includes a parallel part an axis and a curved part, an undercut section is not provided in the concave section when the concave section is viewed from an opened side of the concave section in a direction of the axis of the bearing member, and a clearance between the two swing grooves in a direction which is orthogonal to the direction of the axis on the opened side of the concave section is shorter than a distance between both ends of the rotating force transmission pin in the direction which is orthogonal to the axis of the bearing member even when the shaft member is mounted on the bearing member in a posture inclined at the most.

12-03-2015

20100067946

GROUNDING ASSEMBLY FOR A DRUM IN AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A flange assembly for a drum of an image forming apparatus. The flange assembly including a flange having a hollow portion that extends from a first end of the flange to a second end of the flange, and a grounding member provided within the hollow portion of the flange. The grounding member is configured to ground the drum by contacting a ground pin of the image forming apparatus when the drum and the flange assembly are mounted to the image forming apparatus. When the grounding member is provided within the hollow portion of the flange, an open space is provided along an entire length from the first end of the flange to the second end of the flange. The driving flange has a generally triangular-shaped drive member at a terminal end thereof, and the drive member is configured to mate with a drum drive assembly of the image forming apparatus.

03-18-2010

20130336674

PROCESS CARTRIDE AND ELECTROSTATIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer formed thereon, with the cylinder being rotatable about an axis thereof. A drum flange is provided at a longitudinal end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including (i) a gear encircling a peripheral portion of the drum flange, (ii) a hollow portion, provided inside of the drum flange having an opening disposed on a side of the drum flange opposite from the cylinder, and (iii) a rim provided between the gear and the cylinder in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder and projected more radially-outward of the drum flange than a peripheral portion of the cylinder.

12-19-2013

20120328329

Image Forming Apparatus Having Drum Supporting Member - In an image forming apparatus, a moving member supports developing units and is movable between a mounted position and a pulled-out position. A drum supporting member integrally supports photosensitive drums. The drum supporting member is detachably supported by the moving member. An endless belt is disposed above the moving member when the moving member is disposed in the mounted position. The drum supporting member is configured so as to be detached upward from the moving member, while the moving member supports the developing units and the moving member is in the pulled-out position.

12-27-2012

20100080622

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material in a state in which a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus and in a state in which a developing cartridge including a developing roller for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum and including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer is detachably mountably to the main assembly, is constituted by a cartridge supporting member movable, in a state of detachably supporting the drum and developing cartridges, between an inside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located inside the main assembly and from which the drum and developing cartridges are movable to an image forming position in which the drum and developing cartridges effect image formation and an outside position in which the cartridge supporting member is located outside the main assembly and in which the drum and developing cartridges are mountable and demountable; and a preventing member, provided to the developing cartridge, for preventing demounting of the drum cartridge from the cartridge supporting member in a state in which the developing cartridge is supported by the cartridge supporting member.

04-01-2010

20110236061

SHAFT MEMBER HOLDING MECHANISM, PHOTOCONDUCTOR DRUM UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A shaft member holding mechanism comprising: a shaft member arranged rotatably about a rotation axis; a bearing that supports the shaft member rotatably, including an outer ring portion, and an inner ring portion that holds the shaft member and is arranged at an inside of the outer ring portion so that the inner ring portion can rotate relatively to the outer ring portion; a holding member having a bearing holding portion that holds the outer ring portion of the bearing in a state where a rotation of the outer ring portion is regulated; and an inclination suppression member that is arranged at one side of the bearing in the rotation axis direction of the bearing and suppresses the bearing from inclining.

Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion.

07-01-2010

20090245859

Image Forming Apparatus and Photosensitive Unit - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include: a main body provided with an accommodation chamber partitioned by an inner side surface; a photosensitive unit configured to slid between an accommodated position and a drawn position; a first electrode disposed on a first outer side surface on the photosensitive unit; a second electrode disposed on a second outer side surface on the photosensitive unit to protrude toward the inner side surface beyond the first outer side surface; a third electrode disposed on a first inner side surface on the inner side surface; and a fourth electrode disposed on a second inner side surface on the inner side surface to protrude toward the photosensitive unit beyond the first inner side surface.

10-01-2009

20100135697

Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A photosensitive unit includes: plural photosensitive drums; side plates provided on a first side and a second side of the photosensitive drums in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, respectively, each of the side plates being formed with through holes at a position opposing each photosensitive drum in the axial direction; and plural bearing members fitted into the through holes, respectively, to support end portions of the photosensitive drums. An inner surface of each of the through holes has four linear portions. The four linear portions are in contact with a virtual circle virtually set in the corresponding through hole, and arranged at a regular angular interval with respect to a center of the virtual circle. Each of the bearing members includes an insertion portion which has an outer peripheral surface having a diameter larger than that of the virtual circle, and is inserted into the through hole.

06-03-2010

20110123226

Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame including: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

05-26-2011

20120014712

Photoconductive Drum Supports - An imaging cartridge for use with an imaging machine comprises a waste bin and photoconductive drum rotatably mounted in the waste bin. The photoconductive drum is supported at its ends by support members that are connected to the waste bin. At least a portion of at least one support member is made of an electrically conductive material, such that the support member electrically connects the photoconductive drum to the imaging machine when the imaging cartridge is positioned in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine. At least one of the support members extends from a side of the waste bin to locate the imaging cartridge in correct position in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine.

01-19-2012

20120003004

Center-referenced Photoconductor Bearing Plate and Assembly for Electro-photographic Cartridge - A bearing plate for rotably supporting a photoconductor drum having a center shaft according to one exemplary embodiment includes a body having a first side, a second side, and an edge surface between the first and second sides. A center hole extends through the body for rotably receiving an end of the center shaft and positionally referencing an outer surface of the photoconductor drum to a center axis of the center hole. A support arm extends from the body in a non-radial direction. The support arm has a mounting surface for receiving an additional component positionally referenced to the center axis. An assembly for use in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a photoconductor drum having a center shaft and a pair of substantially identical bearing plates mounted on opposite ends of the photoconductor drum. The bearing plates are translated from one another and have identical orientations.

01-05-2012

20120033993

Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of image forming units; a holding unit; and an engagement mechanism. Each of the plurality of image forming units has a developing portion. The holding unit holds the plurality of image forming units. The plurality of image forming units are aligned in the holding unit in a predetermined drawing direction. The holding unit is configured so as to be drawn out in the predetermined drawing direction from a storage position where the holding unit is stored in the main body. The holding unit sequentially reaches a plurality of different drawing positions while moving in the predetermined drawing direction. The plurality of image forming units are sequentially exposed to the outside while the holding unit sequentially reaches the plurality of drawing positions. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage the holding unit with the main body when the holding unit reaches each of the plurality of drawing positions.

02-09-2012

20150362882

DESKEW MECHANISM WITH LINEAR MOTION - An apparatus comprises a bracket connected to a frame, where the bracket connects a light source to the frame. The frame supports a photoreceptor that has a planar surface. Also, the bracket positions the light source at a set distance from the photoreceptor. Further, the bracket comprises an adjustment device that moves the light source along a plane that is parallel to the planar surface of the photoreceptor, and that maintains the light source at the set distance from the photoreceptor as the light source moves within the plane.

12-17-2015

20130136496

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE PROVIDING ACCURATE POSITIONING BETWEEN EXPOSURE UNIT AND PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY - An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

05-30-2013

20130164031

ROTATIONAL FORCE TRANSMITTING PART - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including a plurality of projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the projections. A radially inner part of each projection has an overhang.

06-27-2013

20150086238

Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range.

03-26-2015

20130188989

DRUM UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING DRUM UNIT - A drum unit has a photosensitive drum, a circular tube member, a housing, and a bearing portion. The photosensitive drum includes a drum sleeve, a flange portion, and a supporting portion. The supporting portion is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the circular tube member made of metal. The sliding surface of the circular tube member is rotatably inserted into the bearing portion attached to the housing of the drum unit.

07-25-2013

20140093279

Image Forming Apparatus For Maintaining Positions of Photosensitive Drums Relative to Casing - An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and a casing. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a developing frame, and a drum frame. The developing frame is movable between a contact position and a separated position. A separating member provided on the drum frame acts on the developing frame, so that a reaction force is exerted in a reaction force direction. The casing includes a positioning member, an urging member, and a separation pressing member. The positioning member has a first surface and a second surface. The urging member is configured to urge an end portion of the photosensitive drum toward the positioning member in an urging direction. The first surface is configured to support the end portion at a position downstream of the urging direction. The second surface is configured to support the end portion at a portion downstream of the reaction force direction.

04-03-2014

20150093147

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a developing cartridge, and a drum supporting frame detachably mountable to the main assembly while supporting the developing cartridge. The main assembly includes a door for opening and closing the main assembly, and a main assembly coupling engageable with a development coupling in interrelation with a closing operation of the door to transmit a driving force to the development coupling.

04-02-2015

20110311275

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt.

12-22-2011

20110318055

TANDEM DRUM UNIT HAVING RESILIENTLY MOVABLE ABUTMENT PORTIONS - There is provided a tandem drum unit including a pair of side plates, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a plurality of developing cartridge accommodating sections and at least two abutment portions provided on each connecting frame. The pair of side plates is disposed in opposition to each other in a first direction, each side plate extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of photosensitive drums is juxtaposed in the second direction and interposed between the pair of side plates in the first direction, each photosensitive drum having an axis extending in the first direction and supported rotatably about the axis by the pair of side plates. The plurality of developing cartridge accommodating sections is arrayed in the second direction in correspondence with the plurality of photosensitive drums, each developing cartridge accommodating section accommodating therein a developing cartridge having a casing, each developing cartridge accommodating section comprising a connecting frame extending in the first direction and connected to the pair of side frames. Each connecting frame supports the casing of the developing cartridge accommodated in the developing cartridge accommodating section at one side in the second direction when a rotational moment is exerted on the developing cartridge during development. The casing of the developing cartridge is seated on at least two abutment portions, the at least two abutment portions being positioned spaced away from each another in the first direction and deviated toward the one side on the each connecting frame in the second direction, wherein the plurality of connecting frames includes an endmost connecting frame in the second direction having specific abutment portions resiliently movable in a pressing direction of the developing cartridge against the specific abutment portions.

12-29-2011

20110318054

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including plural image forming units each having an image-carrier includes: a cylindrical image-carrier body holding an image; a rotary shaft inserted in the image-carrier body, and rotatably supporting the image-carrier body; a coupling member fitted to an end portion of the rotary shaft, transmitting a rotational-drive-force to the rotary shaft; an engaging member projecting from a circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, being engaged to an engaged portion formed in the image-carrier body to disable relative rotation of the image-carrier body to the rotary shaft; and an attaching member continuously inserted into a first through hole formed in the coupling member and a second through hole formed in the rotary shaft and fixed thereto such that an angle formed between the engaging member and the attaching member is substantially 90 degrees as seen in an rotary shaft axial-direction, attaching the coupling member and the rotary shaft.

12-29-2011

20150370213

CONTACT MEMBER, IMAGE CARRIER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A contact member is supported in contact with an inside of a rotating cylindrical body, and is provided in a substantially arc shape along an inner side surface of the cylindrical body to have both end portions opposed to each other in a state in which the contact member is supported by the cylindrical body, when viewed from an axial direction of the cylindrical body. The contact member has a gate mark serving as an injection port for a resin material at a position recessed from an outer peripheral surface of the contact member.

12-24-2015

20150370212

CONTACT MEMBER, IMAGE CARRIER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A contact member is substantially arc-shaped along an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical body while being supported in contact with an inside of the cylindrical body, when viewed from an axial direction of the cylindrical body. The contact member has at least one projection projecting from an inner peripheral surface of the contact member.

12-24-2015

20110206413

IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - An image-forming apparatus includes: an image-forming unit that includes an image holder having a rotating shaft, and forms an image on the image holder; a bearing made of a conductive sintered compact, that contacts and supports the rotating shaft so that the rotating shaft is able to rotate; and a metallic supporting portion that is electrically grounded, and has a cut that contacts and supports the bearing.

08-25-2011

20120219322

BEARING DEVICE, DRUM UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge.

Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a pressure unit and first and second positioning portions. A photosensitive unit, configured to be mounted in a main frame of the image forming apparatus along a prescribed direction, may include a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of metal plates, and a resin frame. The pair of metal plates is spaced away from each other in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum and supports the photosensitive drums. The metal plates are configured to be positioned on the second positioning portion. The resin frame is configured to support the metal plates and developer cartridges. The resin frame is further configured to be positioned on the first positioning portion. The pair of metal plates is pressed against the second positioning portion to be positioned with respect to the main frame when the resin frame is pressed by the pressure unit in the prescribed direction.

Tandem Type Photosensitive Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - A tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel with one another; a first structure member having a side surface extending in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums as viewed from an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for collectively retaining the plurality of photosensitive drums and relatively positioning the plurality of photosensitive drums; and a second structure member having a side surface extending in the arrangement direction as viewed from the axial direction for collectively retaining developer cartridges provided correspondingly to the photosensitive drums respectively. The first structure member is fixed to the second structure member on one side in the arrangement direction, and mounted on the second structure member with a clearance on the other side in the arrangement direction.

SHAFT-RECEIVING DEVICE, DRUM UNIT, AND IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE - A shaft-receiving device connects a rotating member and a frame. The rotating member has a rotational axis extending in a first direction and at least one end in the first direction. The frame extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is formed with a through-hole having an inner peripheral surface. The shaft-receiving device includes a shaft-receiving portion and a pressing member. The one end is inserted into the shaft-receiving portion in the first direction. The shaft-receiving portion is inserted into the through-hole in the first direction and opposes the inner peripheral surface in the second direction. The pressing member opposes the inner peripheral surface in the second direction to press the rotating member toward the inner peripheral surface.

09-13-2012

20120230728

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A PHOTOCONDUCTOR - An apparatus for mounting a cylindrical photoreceptor (206) includes a gudgeon (241) attached to a photoconductor; a stationary mount (242) attached to the photoconductor ; and wherein a diameter of the stationary mount matches a diameter of the photoconductor.

09-13-2012

20160077483

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt.

03-17-2016

20160077485

Manually Removable Separator for Neutralizing Static Charge Buildup on a Replaceable Unit of an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device - A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a photoconductive drum having an outer surface. A component is biased toward contact with the outer surface of the photoconductive drum. A separator is manually removable from the replaceable unit. The separator includes a separator portion physically separating the component from the outer surface of the photoconductive drum. The separator also includes a first electrically conductive contact electrically connected to the component and a second electrically conductive contact electrically connected to the photoconductive drum. An electrical path is formed between the first electrically conductive contact and the second electrically conductive contact electrically connecting the component and the photoconductive drum such that a surface electrical potential of the component remains substantially the same as a surface electrical potential of the photoconductive drum.

03-17-2016

20110142492

END COVER PART, METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME, IMAGE CARRIER, IMAGE FORMING ASSEMBLY, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An end cover part which is used to close an end of a cylindrical body, and transmits a driving force of a rotatable driving shaft to the cylindrical body, includes a cover member having a tubular portion into which the driving shaft is to be fitted, and a to-be-fitted portion which is disposed in a flange-like manner in a periphery of the tubular portion, and which is to be fitted into an end portion of the cylindrical body; cut surfaces which are disposed respectively on an inner circumference of the tubular portion of the cover member and an outer circumference of the to-be-fitted portion and concentrically about a common reference central axis; and a recess as defined herein.

06-16-2011

20110142493

END COVER PART, METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME, IMAGE CARRIER, IMAGE FORMING ASSEMBLY, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An end cover part is used to close an end of a cylindrical body, and transmits a driving force of a rotatable driving shaft to the cylindrical body, and the end cover part includes a cover member having a tubular portion into which the driving shaft is to be fitted, and a to-be-fitted portion which is disposed in a flange-like manner in a periphery of the tubular portion, and which is to be fitted into an end portion of the cylindrical body; and three cut surfaces which are disposed respectively on inner and outer circumferences of the tubular portion of the cover member and an outer circumference of the to-be-fitted portion, and concentrically about a common reference central axis.

06-16-2011

20110182619

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT - An electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The unit comprises a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder. A plurality of resin regulating portions are provided inside the drum flange, the regulating portions projecting inwardly of the drum flange, with a gap between the regulating portions along a circumferential direction of the drum flange. A recess is provided in the regulating portions at a position radially outside of the drum flange for facilitating deformation of the regulating portions radially outwardly of the drum flange.

07-28-2011

20090154955

IMAGING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - An electrophotographic imaging unit includes a photoconductor housing, a developer housing, and a support. The photoconductor housing is configured to rotatably support a photoconductor drum. The developer housing is configured to accommodate developer and a developer roller. The support is configured to rotatably support the developer roller at opposite ends thereof. The photoconductor housing and the developer housing are hinged together at one side, and movable relative to each other at another side to open and close the imaging unit to sandwiched the support between the photoconductor housing and the developer housing when the imaging unit is closed.

06-18-2009

20090175653

Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is provided. The process cartridge configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction, the process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame comprising: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame, the first protecting member configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, the first protecting member projecting in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

07-09-2009

20080279584

SUPPORTING APPARATUS FOR A PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM - For supporting a cylindrical photosensitive drum, a high-precision high-strength supporting apparatus is disclosed to include a sleeve member and a shalt member. The sleeve member has an outer wall for attaching to the photosensitive drum, an inner wall within which an axial hole is defined, a first retaining portion positioned at the inner wall, and four locating ribs disposed inside the axial hole. The shaft member has an outer tube inserted into the axial hole of the sleeve member, a second retaining portion provided on the outer tube and engaged with the first retaining portion of the sleeve member, a connecting portion inwardly extending from the outer tube, an inner tube disposed at an inner end of the connecting portion, and four locating slot provided on the inner tube and engaged with the locating rib of the sleeve member.

11-13-2008

20090202272

IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE - An image-forming device includes a first frame, and a first supporting unit. The first frame includes a first plate-shaped part having a surface orthogonal to the first direction and supports a first image-bearing member. The first plate-shaped part is formed with at least two first positioning holes. Each of the at least two first positioning holes is defined by a first inner surface that extends in the first direction. The first supporting unit erects from the first plate-shaped part and includes at least two first fitting parts and a first contact part. The at least two first fitting parts fit into the at least two first positioning holes. The first contact part extends in the first direction from each of the at least two first fitting parts. The first contact part contacts and supports the exposure unit. The exposure unit is oriented in a direction in which the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements is directed toward a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

08-13-2009

20090080936

Coupling mechanism for material supply module - A coupling mechanism includes a driven coupling for mating with a driving coupling. The driven coupling includes a cylinder flange, a concentric shaft that extends axially outwardly from the flange, and a cylindrical driven coupling member that extends axially outwardly from the concentric shaft. The driven coupling member comprises a flexible membrane that encases non-rigid fill material, such as, e.g., a flowable granular material or a non-Newtonian fluid. The driven coupling member has a non-twisted, triangular cross-section, and is configured such that, when it is operationally engaged with the driving coupling, the non-rigid material substantially solidifies, thereby providing a substantially non-flexible structure for the membrane. The driven coupling may be connected to, for example, a photoreceptor drum of a material supply module, and the driving coupling may be connected to a reprographic device.

03-26-2009

20090180801

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, PHOTORECEPTOR SUPPORTING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes, a cylindrical photoreceptor pipe; at least one flange which is attached to an opening of one end of the photoreceptor pipe, and which is provided with a shaft part projecting outward from the one end at a shaft center position of the photoreceptor pipe; and an earth member which is arranged to penetrate through the shaft part of the at least one flange, and which is provided on its inward side with at least one first contact part which contacts an inner circumference of the photoreceptor pipe, and on its outward side with a second contact part.

07-16-2009

20090169253

Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range.

07-02-2009

20090169254

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER - An electrophotographic printer in which a photoconductor drum and a transfer drum can be supported in a simple component construction and in the makeup free from misalignment and development of thrust load. To this end, an electrophotographic printer comprising a photoconductor drum (

07-02-2009

20090092414

SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ROTARY MEMBER - A method is for manufacturing a support member for supporting a rotary member having a shaft. The support member is detachably assembled in an image-forming device. The support member has a pair of side plates opposed to each other through the rotary member. Each of the side plate receives the shaft of the rotary member. The method includes forming the pair of side plates through a punching process using the same die.

04-09-2009

20080240777

PHOTOSENSITIVE MEDIUM SUPPORTING APPARATUS, DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME AND METHOD TO ASSEMBLE AND DISASSEMBLE A DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE - A photosensitive medium supporting apparatus includes a supporting shaft to rotatably support a photosensitive medium and to have a fixing groove or a fixing projection formed at one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium, a first shaft supporting member to support the one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium and to have a fixing projection or a fixing groove that is inserted into the fixing groove or the fixing projection of the supporting shaft, and a second shaft supporting member to support an other portion of the supporting shaft that projects from the other end of the photosensitive medium.

10-02-2008

20080199213

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER - An electrophotographic printer capable of easily attaching and detaching a retaining means to retain the inside of a photoconductive drum to and from the photoconductive drum. A flange located on the extraction side of a photoconductive drum is provided with: a retaining means to support the photoconductive drum from the side of the inner circumferential face of the photoconductive drum. And an advance and retreat mechanism to advance and retreat the retaining means to and from the inner face of the photoconductive drum. The retaining means can be easily dismantled from the photoconductive drum by operating the advance and retreat mechanism, and thereafter extracting the flange from the photoconductive drum.